Feb. 16 -- It was a busy night for the cream of British music as the hottest talent took home their prestigious Brit Awards at London's Earls Court. Throughout the night, youth trumped experience, as a new generation of bands swept the board.

Guitar bands reigned supreme, and Gibsons were the guitars of choice. Multi-platinum Gibson artist James Blunt took home two awards, for Best Male Solo Artist and Best Pop Act. The Kaiser Chiefs took home three awards—British Group, British Rock Act and British Live Act—and opened the show with their hit anthem "I Predict A Riot."

Paul Weller		James Blunt

Gibson artist KT Tunstall won the prestigious British Female Solo Artist while Coldplay took home British Album and British Single for "Speed of Sound." Both acts performed live to the industry audience. It gave Chris Martin the opportunity to announce the band's semi-retirement from the public arena, saying, "People are fed up with us and so are we. You won't see us at one of these for many, many years."

The Arctic Monkeys took home British Breakthrough Act and Paul Weller picked up his Outstanding Contribution to Music award. "It's been a great 30 years and there's a few more years left hopefully," Weller said. He then went on to perform a medley of hits on his Epiphone Casino, including "Come On/Let's Go," "From the Floorboards Up," and the Jam classic "A Town Called Malice."

Other artists picking up awards and performing at the awards show included artists Madonna, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Jack Johnson, Green Day, and Prince, whose live performance was his first at the awards since 1997.

For more information on The Brits please visit http://brits.co.uk/